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It’s July and the heat is on! Check out LexGWAC’s post on how to save energy and money while staying comfortable in the heat of the summer.
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The heat reminds us of how important our water supply is. Be sure to check out the Lexington Sustainability Director's presentation, with Lexington’s Public Works and Conservation staffs, on Water: Blue Gold, to learn how we can all help preserve this valuable resource.
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Stella also reports on the town’s decision to join the “Cities Race to Zero”, a global campaign to build momentum for a zero-carbon economy. The town’s Transportation Department is again offering tips on ways to get out and about on your bike and public transportation, welcome changes from driving a car.
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Lexington Living Landscapes, the Conservation Department, and the Field & Garden Club have offerings to remind us of the importance of bees, other pollinators, and native plants. Be sure to enjoy the pictures LLL collected from “Pollinator Week”, beautiful photos from a lot of talented Lexington photographers.
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On the food front, the produce from the Lexington Farmers’ Market and LexFarm keeps getting better. And LexFarm has a new executive director!
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For entertainment, be sure to check into the music of the Kalliope Trio who are holding a benefit concert for the new website “Energize Lexington”.
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And finally, the folks at Plastic Free July are challenging us to go without single-use plastic for the month. Go their website to learn more and join in!
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In This Issue – July 2021:
- Lexington Joins "Cities Race to Zero" Campaign
- "Water: Blue Gold" Webinar July 13th
- "Bee-come a Citizen Scientist" Event July 18th
- LexFarm Welcomes New Director, Seeks Volunteers
- Farmers' Market: Calling Musicians, Artisans, Non-Profits!
- Bike Safety Events July 16th, 17th and 23rd
- Three Informative Events from LF&G Club and Cary Library in June/July
- Live Benefit Concert for Energize Lexington July 23rd
- Summer energy-saving tips from LexGWAC
- Stunning Online Album Commemorates National Pollinator Week
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Town of Lexington Joins ICLEI's "Cities Race to Zero" Campaign
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The Town of Lexington has taken the ambitious step to join the Cities Race to Zero, a global campaign to build the momentum for a zero-carbon economy. Through this campaign, Lexington is committing to setting science-informed climate goals to ensure our actions are in line with the global ambition to keep warming under dangerous levels. We will drastically cut our carbon emissions by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050.
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To reach these goals, we will take transformational action, spurred on by local innovation, that will create new green jobs, attract investments in our community, and create a healthier future. In partnership with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA, we will identify and implement high-impact actions to drastically reduce our carbon footprint.
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This game-changing commitment demonstrates our community’s climate ambition and aligns us with national and international initiatives. This opens the door for us to have a voice on the direction of federal and international policy and programs. It will also open opportunities for future federal funding and investments.
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"Water: Blue Gold" Webinar
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Join us for a virtual event hosted by Sustainability Director Stella Carr and staff from the Public Works department and Conservation department.
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We will be discussing our water system, water supply, and ways to conserve and protect this precious resource.
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July 18, 2021, 10:00AM-12:00PM
Location: Wright Farm (241 Grove St, Lexington MA)
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(Parking is limited; please consider (safe) carpooling, walking or biking. Parking on Carriage Drive is allowed.)
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Wild pollinators have declined in abundance, diversity, and geographic distribution at an alarming rate over recent years. These declines pose a significant threat to ecosystem health and biodiversity, yet we currently lack critical ecological information needed to develop effective conservation and restoration strategies for threatened species.
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The ‘Beecology Project’ aims to fill this gap by recruiting citizen scientists from across the region to digitally collect and submit ecological data on native pollinator species using our freely available smartphone and web apps. As a Beecologist, you will contribute valuable information on the diversity and health of pollination systems in your local area and importantly, help to keep our native ecosystems buzzing for years to come!
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Dr. Robert J. Gegear is a Professor in the Department of Biology at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
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LexFarm Welcomes Executive Director Pamela Tames
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We are excited to have hired Pamela, who will lead our operations, communication, outreach and fundraising.
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Pamela was described by colleagues as thoughtful, articulate, can reach many different audiences, creates an atmosphere of respect and trust and a gem of a leader! We look forward to having Pam at our helm!
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Sign Up to Volunteer at LexFarm on Wednesdays This Summer!
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One of the best ways to learn what it takes to grow the local food we all love, is to volunteer at your local community farm.
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We are looking for volunteers who can work independently after minimal training with the farm crew. Volunteers walk on uneven ground, kneel, bend, and squat to pick weeks crops. The work can definitely be challenging. It's also exceptionally satisfying. You must be at least 16.
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We'll be so grateful, and you'll feel very satisfied at the end of the 2-hour block!
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Tuesdays 2:00-6:30PM
Worthen Road Practice Field
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Want to Be part of the Scene? Calling Musicians, Artisans & Non-Profits
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The Lexington Farmers' Market is in full swing at its new location at Worthen Road Practice Field Tuesdays from 2:00-6:30pm, with increased free parking and a nearly full roster of farmers and vendors.
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We welcome applications for local nonprofits or organizations that serve the Lexington community and would like to share information about their programs, starting after mid-July, along with interested local musicians who would like to be part of the market for a few hours a week. Please email [email protected] for more information.
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COVID safety regulations: If you are fully vaccinated, market customers are not required to wear a mask; if not vaccinated or a child over 5 years of age, customers are required to wear a mask. Anyone attending the LFM is welcome to continue to wear a mask if s/he feels more comfortable regardless of vaccination status. Farmers, vendors, LFM staff and volunteers will be following the same safety protocols as customers.
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Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager
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July offers several great events around safe cycling around Lexington - check them out! Also please note some updates on our town's local public transportation services.
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Free Bike Helmet & Fittings Event! (ages 5-12)
Friday, July 16, 2021, 4:00-6:00PM
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Sign up to receive a free bike helmet and leave knowing it has a proper fit for your child! Participants will also receive bike safety resources and related fun freebies and information. Courtesy of Boston Children's Hospital Injury Prevention Program.
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Smart Cycling for Adults (18+)
Saturday, July 17, 2021, 11:30AM-2:00PM
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Do you know all you need to know to feel comfortable and bike safely with traffic? Do you feel you know enough to teach your children how to ride cautiously and conspicuously while on their own? When you drive a car, are you confident on how to share the road with people on bikes? The Smart Cycling program gives you the tips, tools, and techniques to confidently answer YES to each question.
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This class is great for new cyclists, returning cyclists, and experienced cyclists who would welcome some tips.
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This course is also a pre-requisite for anyone interested in becoming a League Certified Instructor (LCI). (Though anyone can take this course and doesn't need to carry on to become an instructor!) There is a need for more bike instructors, so by taking this course, you are on your way to becoming one! (In October 2021, there will be a 3-day course in Lexington for those interested in obtaining certification, and passing Smart Cycling is a pre-requisite.)
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Practice Using Bus Bike Racks
Friday, July 23, 2021, 4:30-6:30PM
Location: Depot Back Parking Lot (this lot is behind the Lexington Historical Society and right along the Minuteman Bikeway!)
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Join the Town of Lexington’s Transportation Manager and practice getting your bike on and off a bus bike rack so you feel confident and ready to expand your commuting options! You will practice on an out-of-service Lexpress bus parked in the Depot back parking lot. Lexpress uses the same bike racks as MBTA and many other transit buses. Learning and practicing a couple times should take only 5-10 minutes. While there will be a bike there you can use, it is great to practice with your own bike. No registration necessary, just show up anytime between 4:30-6:20 (last person will be taken at 6:20PM) www.lexbikewalkbus.org
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MBTA Bus Network Redesign
The MBTA wants to create a more equitable bus network, to do that, they need your input!
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- Does the MBTA take you where you need or want to go?
- When you need to get somewhere, is riding the MBTA a good option for you?
To respond, take their survey. There is also an option to take the survey by phone: 1-857-366-1871
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MBTA Summer Schedules
For the summer, Lexington will still see the combined 62/76 instead of the two separate routes of #62 & #76. You can view the schedule online.
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Other summer service information can also be found on the MBTA website.
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Lexpress
Lexpress will stick to the same routes and schedule for summer as we had in the fall, winter, and spring. Visit www.lexpress.us for current info.
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Lexpress tickets and passes are available for sale online. You can also call 781-861-1210 to purchase by phone.
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Support & Ride Public Transportation!
When you ride Lexpress and the MBTA, you support services that support people of all ages and abilities: youth, seniors, people with disabilities, people who don’t have cars, and people who choose to drive less. Thank you for supporting public transportation! (And, thank you for keeping your masks on, which is still required on all forms of transportation.)
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Check Out This Month's Informative Zoom Events
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July (and late June) will feature some outstanding Zoom events with Cary Library.
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Creating Habitat
Wednesday, June 30, 2021, 1:00PM
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Does your garden teem with songbirds, butterflies, or honeybees? Avid gardener Holly Samuels and moderator Ashley Rooney will show us how to create wildlife habitats in our yards while concurrently restoring our local environment. Yes, you can make a difference by choosing natural gardening practices!
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Lexington Parks & Traffic Islands
Wednesday, July 7, 2021, 1:00PM
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From its inception in 1876, the Lexington Field & Garden Club has been making a positive mark on the environment. Today, over 50 members of the club donate considerable time and effort to beautify and maintain over twenty of Lexington’s parks and traffic islands. Master Gardener Shelly Henderson and Ashley Rooney will describe their work and some of the plants that can withstand busy streets.
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Perennials That Don't Disappoint
Wednesday, July 14, 2021, 1:00PM
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Annuals provide all-summer color, but perennial plants return for so many years that they're a practical investment and timesaver for any gardener. Avid plant collector Terry Hale, with Ashley Rooney, will show us proven perennials that can be the mainstay of your garden with their display of spectacular seasonal flowers as well as eye-catching foliage.
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Benefit Concert for Energize Lexington with the Kalliope Trio!
Friday, July 23, 2021, 7:30PM
Location: Follen Community Church (755 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA)
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Join the Kalliope Trio for their first in-person (live audience) concert! This will be a benefit concert for Energize Lexington promoting local environmental activism. We will perform several nature-inspired works, including Jenni Brandon’s Sequoia Trio, Adrienne Albert’s Menage a Trio, and more!
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Founded in the summer of 2020, the Trio is a sub-section of the Kalliope Reed Quintet, featuring clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone, and explores works and arrangements for less conventional reed trios. In the fall of 2020 they live streamed a concert series from the Regent Theatre Arlington, presenting an eclectic mix of works featuring classical, contemporary, and seasonal favorites. One focus throughout their Fall 2020 season was a continued exploration of trios by composers of 20th century France, and they performed their own adaptations and arrangements of works by Francis Poulenc, Jean Francaix, Alexandre Tansman, Camille Saint-Saens, Joseph Canteloube, and Pierre Max Dubois. They also perform many works by living composers including Daniel Baldwin, Jose Elizondo, and Jenni Brandon, and they look forward to expanding the repertoire to include more.
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Summer Energy Saving Tips
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Wouldn't it be nice to stay comfortable in the heat without breaking the bank? Here are some great tips from LexGWAC.
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- Raise your air conditioner settings: every degree that you raise your thermostat over 72 degrees provides 3% in energy savings. You will be surprised at how good 78 degrees can feel when its 90 outside!
- Use window coverings to block out the sun during the day.
- Use room fans to boost the benefit of your A/C.
- Investigate whether your house is a good candidate for high efficiency heat pumps which provide heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer.
- Schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment with Lexington partner HomeWorks Energy. They provide no- or low-cost lighting, programmable thermostats, air sealing, and much more. Learn more.
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To celebrate this year’s National Pollinator Week (June 21-27), Lexington Living Landscapes asked community members to send in a favorite photo or two of local plants and their pollinators.
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The result is a stunning array of color and activity that reminds us how much goes on in our yards, gardens, and natural areas, mostly unobserved and unremarked. It prompted all of us to slow down and observe this natural phenomenon that brings us flowers for our senses, food for our tables, and a natural world rich in diversity and abundance.
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Next time you’re near a flower, stop and watch for a few minutes, and think about this little miracle of nature and how much we stand to lose as pollinator populations decline due to habitat loss, climate change, and the indiscriminate use of pesticides.
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Would you like to submit an environmental event or activity?
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Please forward to your network!
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